Application of chromium-amino acid complexes in the treatment of diabetes and other diseases

Abstract

Compositions comprising chromium (III) 1:3 complexes comprising amino acids and methods of use thereof are provided.

1. A chromium (III) complex comprising D-amino acids. 
     
     
       2. The complex of  claim 1 , further comprising L-amino acids. 
     
     
       3. The complex of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid is selected from the group consisting of phenylalanine, proline, cysteine, isoleucine, and methionine. 
     
     
       4. The complex of  claim 1 , wherein said amino acid is D-phenylalanine. 
     
     
       5. The complex of  claim 4  of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       6. A composition comprising the complex of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       7. The composition of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one agent for treating diabetes. 
     
     
       8. The composition of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one agent for lowering cholesterol. 
     
     
       9. A method of forming the complex of  claim 1  comprising heating a mixture of a chromium (III) salt with three molar equivalents of said amino acids. 
     
     
       10. A method for the treatment of diabetes in a patient having diabetes, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 6 . 
     
     
       11. A method for the treatment of insulin resistance syndrome in a patient having insulin resistance syndrome, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 6 . 
     
     
       12. A method in preventing the onset of diabetes in a patient, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 6 . 
     
     
       13. A method for decreasing plasma cholesterol levels in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 6 . 
     
     
       14. A chromium (III) complex comprising a derivative of D-phenylalanine. 
     
     
       15. The complex of  claim 14 , wherein said derivative of D-phenylalanine comprises substituents on the phenyl ring. 
     
     
       16. The complex of  claim 14 , wherein said derivative of D-phenylalanine is nateglinide. 
     
     
       17. A composition comprising a chromium (III) complex comprising amino acids, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and at least one agent for lowering cholesterol. 
     
     
       18. A method for decreasing plasma cholesterol levels in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising administering an effective amount of the composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein said amino acids are L- or D,L-amino acids.